After Rasagola, Odisha to Seek GI Tags for Arisa Pitha, Chhena Poda

Bhubaneswar: A day after receiving the geographical indication (GI) tag for its locally made Rasagola, Odisha will now seek GI tags for ‘Arisa Pitha’ and ‘Chhena Poda’.

This has been informed by Odisha Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Minister State Dibya Shankar Mishra on Tuesday.

The Minister said that the State Government will conduct an extensive research into the historical and cultural timeline and significance of these popular Odia desserts before applying for the GI tags.

Talking to media, Mishra said, “We shall also need to vet the documents that will be presented to acquire this recognition”.

The Odisha Government will proceed with the application only after obtaining all the required facts and evidence with regard to these delicacies,” the Minister added.

Notably, the Chennai-based GI Registry has conferred the much-awaited GI tag to ‘Odisha Rasagola’ under Section 16(I) or of authorized Section 17(3)(c) of Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 on Monday.

According to the application submitted to the Registrar of GI, ‘Odisha Rasagola’ is a sweet from the state of Odisha made of chhena (cottage cheese) cooked in sugar syrup, which is very soft to feel, is juicy and non- chewy in consistency and can be swallowed without teeth pressure.